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  • March 1991 (Revised May 1991)
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TBIRD: The Thai Business Initiative in Rural Development

By: V. Kasturi Rangan
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:23
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Abstract

During the period of 1987 to 1990, while Thailand had one of the fastest growing economies in the world (average growth rate of 12%), the income disparity between its rural and urban population (especially Bangkok City) was growing increasingly worse. Mechai Viravaidya, founder of Thailand's most successful family planning program, came out with an interesting idea to address this disparity. Named TBIRD, the idea involved convincing businesses to each adopt a village to transfer management skills to the village population. The case describes the implementation of the concept and raises several challenges for students to address.

Keywords

Economic Growth; Management Skills; Programs; Wealth and Poverty; Thailand

Citation

Rangan, V. Kasturi. "TBIRD: The Thai Business Initiative in Rural Development." Harvard Business School Case 591-099, March 1991. (Revised May 1991.)
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About The Author

V. Kasturi Rangan

Marketing
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  • Equal Justice Initiative: Mercy, Truth and Dignity By: V. Kasturi Rangan, Gerald Chertavian and Brittany Logan
  • Essex County Community Foundation: Pivot to Systems Philanthropy By: V. Kasturi Rangan, Brian Trelstad and Courtney Han
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